Internal Security Organisation
{{Short description|Uganda government's counter intelligence agency}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Internal Security Organisation
| nativename = ISO
| logo =
| logo_width = 160px
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| seal_width = 140px
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| formed = 1986
| jurisdiction = Government of Uganda
| headquarters = Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda
| employees =
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| chief1_name = Major Arthur Mugyenyi
| chief1_position = Director General{{cite web|last=Mugerwa |first=Yasiin|date=16 August 2016|title=Corruption killing government - ISO|url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/688334-3345852-o75dxg/index.html|work=Daily Monitor|access-date=17 August 2016}}
| chief2_name =
| chief2_position =
| parent_agency = Uganda People's Defence Force
| website =
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The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) is the Uganda government's counter intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda's policy makers.{{cite web|last=Semakula|first=John |date=8 July 2015|title=ISO helping Police track down killers of Muslim sheikhs|access-date=17 August 2016 |url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1329970/iso-helping-police-track-killers-muslim-sheikhs|newspaper=New Vision}} It also engages in covert activities at the request of the President of Uganda. Founded in 1986, the organisation took over the duties first performed by Military Intelligence. Its headquarters are in Nakasero, Kampala.
History and function
ISO was established by an Act of Parliament, the Security Organisations Act 1987. Like all intelligence organisations, its main function is to ensure the stability and longevity of the state. It does this through monitoring priority government programmes that are critical to the well-being of the state, as well as collecting intelligence on locally based groups engaging in or intending to engage in acts of subversion, sabotage or destabilising the country.{{cite web|date=13 November 1987|title=Security Organisations Act 1987|url=http://www.ulii.org/ug/legislation/consolidated-act/305 |access-date=17 August 2016|publisher=Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII)|author=Parliament of Uganda|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822045933/http://www.ulii.org/ug/legislation/consolidated-act/305|url-status=dead}}
Director general
The first director general was Major General Jim Katugugu Muhwezi. He led ISO from 1986 until 1996. He is the longest serving spy chief at the organization to date. He recruited and trained Dr Amos Mukumbi and Brigadier Ronnie Balya, each of whom was later to serve as director general. Under the Director General (DG), are a number of directors who report directly to the DG. Others who have served as director generals at ISO include: Philip Idro, Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde, Brigadier Elly Kayanja, Dr Amos Mukumbi, Brigadier Ronnie Balya, and Colonel Kaka Bagyenda Charles Oluka . The current ISO Director General is Major Arthur Mugyenyi.{{cite web|date=September 8, 2020|title=ISO Boss Replaced|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1528903/iso-boss-replaced|newspaper=New Vision|access-date=10 October 2020}}{{cite web|last1=Kasasira|first1=Risdel|last2=Bagala |first2=Andrew|date=October 9, 2020|title=Why Museveni sacked ISO boss Kaka, deputy |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-museveni-sacked-iso-boss-kaka-deputy-2461352|newspaper=Daily Monitor |access-date=10 October 2020}}{{Cite web |last=URN |date=30 January 2025 |title=ISO boss Brig Gen Charles Oluka eulogised |url=https://observer.ug/news/iso-boss-brig-gen-charles-oluka-eulogised/ |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=The Observer}}
Composition
ISO is composed of professional intelligence officers recruited from all over Uganda and trained at its training institute, the Institute of Intelligence and Security Studies. Upon being passed out, the operatives are sworn to protect Ugandans and their property and are deployed all over the country. They include PISO's, GISO's, DISO's and RISO's.{{cite web|date=December 12, 2001 |title=ISO Top Ranks Shuffled |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1019693/iso-ranks-shuffled |newspaper=New Vision|access-date=10 October 2020}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-wants-spy-agencies-overhauled/688334-1914988-item-01-661sl8z/index.html Museveni wants spy agencies overhauled]
{{Authority control}}
{{Domestic intelligence agencies}}
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Category:Government agencies of Uganda
Category:Ugandan intelligence agencies
Category:Organizations established in 1986